'Sexist': Campaigners said the video made women uncomfortable, including staff members

A supporter of the campaign wrote: 'And it breaches people's freedom of choice. Because they are obliged to sit in front of it. They can't turn it off, or walk away.

'They can't shelter their children from it, because their children are also obliged to watch it.'

They added: 'It objectifies women. It reduces women to stereotype of sexual availability, increasing a perception that women are available to be utilized as sexual gratification (visual or otherwise).'

However, an Air New Zealand spokesman denied the airline had bowed to public pressure, saying the videos are scheduled, the Sport Illustrated video had reached the end of its run and was gradually being phased out of the aircrafts it was used on.

Air New Zealand passengers on a flight from Wellington to Auckland are now being shown a previous safety video, featuring Bear Grylls.